This page will show how to terminate the CATx to
a RJ45 or RJ11 jack and to a Punchdown block. For these applications you'll
need a Punchdown Tool.

The Punchdown Tool

Several suppliers make punchdown tool ranging in
price from $35 to $85. The tools in this price range are impact tools.
They work by holding the tool in your hand and pressing the tool down
on the CATx wire as it sits in the Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC)
slots that these jacks employ. As you press on the tool a spring
in the tool is compressed. When the spring becomes compressed to some
level the spring releases and 'hammers down' or impacts the CATx wire
into the IDC slot. This 'hammering down' or impact action applies a controlled
force every time to help ensure a consistent IDC connection. These
tools typically have an adjustable impact force and come with interchangeable
bits for type 66 and type 110 terminals that are made of high quality
tool steel. Even with the tool steel quality bit these will wear out
and the bits can be replaced if they wear out. Most of you doing this
kind of thing in your own home will never wear out a bit.

A lot of suppliers sell low cost, non-impact
punchdown tool for under $10. These tool are made completely out of
plastic and will wear out after a few uses and don't have the impact
action. Use these all-plastic only if you have a few connectors
to terminate.

The photo below shows the most commonly used tool,
the D814 made by Harris. This tool can be purchased for about $80.
There are 'clones' of this tool that sell for in the $40 range.

(Click for a larger image)

Shown in the photo below are the bits that come with
the tool. The bit on the top is for type 110 terminals and the bit on
the bottom is for the type 66 terminals and both have stamped on to
them a number indicating the size it is intended for. Both these bits
are double ended and the left side of the bits will terminate and cut
the CATx wire while the side on the right will just terminate the wire
and does not cut it.(Click for a larger image)

Terminating CATx to RJ45 and RJ11 Jacks

The RJ45 or RJ11 jacks use the type 110 IDC
terminals. You'll need to use the 110 bit for the punchdown tool that
will cut and terminate the wire.

Start by removing about 1 1/2" of jacket from
the CATx cable. Untwist the entire length of the twisted pairs that
are exposed. Lay the CATx onto the jack and arrange the wires into the
IDC slots on the jacks using the color code printed on the side of the
jack as shown in the photo below. Note here that the color shown below
are for the T568B wiring standard that I chose to use.

(Click for a larger image)

Let's stop here for a brief moment and talk about being
neat and following guidelines. Notice in the photo above how jacketed
portion of the cable goes all the way up into the connector. This is
right way to do this. DO NOT leave portions of the cable exposed
without a jacket covering it. This jacket is key to keeping the all
important twists in the CATx cable intact and to keep the pairs
grouped together. Keep the unjacketed and untwisted part of the cable
less than 1/2".

Do NOT do this!
The long lengths of wire that do not have the pairs twisted WILL NOT
carry data at 100Mbps. Being neat is more than making it look
nice. THIS WILL NOT WORK.

With the type 110 bit in the punchdown tool that
will cut and terminate the wire, press the tools bit down onto
the terminal with the side of the bit that will cut the wire pointed
to the outside of the jack. This is shown in the photo below.

(Click for a larger image)

Press down on the tool to compress the tools spring until
the tool 'hammers down' or impacts the wire into the terminals slot.
This action combined with the wire cutting edge of the bit will
terminate and cut the wire.

(Click for a larger image)

The photo below shows the CATx cable terminated to
the RJ45 jack after the wires have been cut by the punchdown tool's
bit.

(Click for a Larger Image)

The last step in this process is to snap on a
protective cover that is included in the RJ45 and RJ11 jack that will
cover the area where the IDC contacts are. That's IT.

Terminating CATx to Punchdown
Blocks

When using CATx for telephone wiring the 'rules'
I've stated above can be bent somewhat because telephone signals are
not high speed signals and the twists are not quite as critical.... More
on this Coming Soon....

What Next?

Now that you know how to do basic network 'plumbing'
how do you create your own Home Network? The next few pages show you
How To...